Interchangeable Bow Tie

ABSTRACT

One embodiment of an interchangeable bow tie consisting of wings joined to a knot. The wings are interchangeable and affixed to the knot through a tongue in groove fit, and are further secured to the knot through the magnetic attraction of magnets embedded in the knot, to magnets embedded in the wings. The magnets embedded in the knot and wings are of a small, standard design. All of the magnets have their north poles facing the same direction relative to the front and back surfaces of the knot. The use of these standard magnets, and their consistent placement on the knot and wings with their north poles facing the same direction, facilitates the manufacture of knots and wings of a simple design that can be produced in small quantities at a low cost.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND Prior Art

The following is a tabulation of some prior art that presently appearsrelevant:

U.S. Patents

Pat. No, Issue Date Patentee U.S. Pat. No. 2,578,269 1951-12-11 SintonU.S. Pat. No. 2,466,131 1949-04-05 Taborski U.S. Pat. No. 2,421,9721947-06-10 Taborski U.S. Pat. No. 2,420,387 1947-05-13 Taborski U.S.Pat. No. 2,411,908 1946-12-03 Taborski U.S. Pat. No. 2,394,0241946-02-05 Taborski

U.S. Patent Application Publications

Publication Number Publication Date Applicant 20130269083 2013-04-15Paglione 20110219516 2010-03-10 Pionessa 20110088229 2009-10-15 Simmons20020095713 2001-10-23 Bonano 20020059675 2001-09-06 Lee

Non-Patent Literature Documents

-   www.mrketplace.com/46788/the-new-neckwear-market/The new neckwear    market-   www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-07-24/bow-tie-renaissance-among-millennial-men-boosting-pvh.html    Bow Tie Renaissance Among Millennial Men Boosting PVH-   www.scottsmarketplace.com/blog/business/niche-marketing/How to    Market a Bowtie, and Other Feats of Strength-   www.woodenbowties.com/The Two Guys Bow Tie-   www.ellabing.com/collections/the-fine-wood-collection Ella Bing    Wooden Bow Ties-   www.woodthumb.com/products/wood-bowtie Wood Bowtie

Bow ties are a form of apparel whose design includes a decorative knotnear the throat having two bows and two ends. Historically bow tiewearers have had difficulty changing the appearance of their bow tiesbecause bow ties having interchangeable components have not been readilyavailable.

The prior art teaches a variety of methods for making bow tie componentsinterchangeable, in particular the bow tie's knots and bows, hereafterreferred to as wings. However, design and production limitations of themeans used for joining these two components have constrained themarketability of interchangeable bow ties for some time. Nonetheless,contemporary materials and manufacturing techniques, which enable theredesign of the bow tie's principal components and capitalize onadvances in the fabrication process, make it possible to reverse theselimitations.

A search of prior art regarding bow ties having interchangeablecomponents such as wings and knots, shows those bow ties as having anumber of disadvantages. One of the more recent patents in this regard,U.S. Pat. No. 2,578,269 (1951), illustrates this point. As envisioned bythe patentee the plastic wings of this bow tie, referred to astransparent wings (FIG. 1, numbers 10 and 12), are not interchangeable.Rather, rigid inserts within those wings, identified as stiffeners (FIG.5, numbers 30 and 32), form the interchangeable component whereby theappearance of the bow tie is varied.

This design leaves it to the wearer to attach stiffeners within theconfines of the transparent wings without stretching, folding orotherwise damaging the materials from which the wings and stiffeners aremade. Further, because these transparent wings form the outermostportion of the bow tie, they make it difficult for the wearer tocompletely vary the bow tie's appearance. One of the first things anobserver will likely notice is the transparent plastic. From a similarperspective, the design does not contemplate the possibility ofexchanging the transparent plastic for fabric or another material.

In attaching the stiffeners to the knot of this bow tie, the patentmakes mention of a friction fit. A closer examination of this fitreveals the knot is formed from a strip of folded material about theinner ends of the transparent wings. A friction fit designed in thismanner is likely to be weak, unless the two ends of the strip overlapand are fused together. If that is the case, the interchangeability ofthe bow tie's wings and knot will likely be negated.

In terms of manufacturing, production of this bow tie is constrained bya problem that centers on the process whereby its knot, stiffeners, andtransparent wings are all assembled and joined. If these components arenot properly assembled and joined, then the durability of the bow tieand its capacity to hold together under normal wear is markedlydecreased.

Another patent among the prior art that makes reference to a bow tiehaving interchangeable components is U.S. Pat. No. 2,466,131 (1949). Inthis case the patentee's intent was to create an object that was novelin appearance, which could be discarded in part or entirety when itspurpose had been served. The manufacture of this disposable bow tie putsconstraints on the quality of its components, in turn puttingconstraints on its marketability.

This same patent envisions the wings, referred to as wing elements, andknot of the bow tie being connected by a pin and socket coupling. Indescribing this coupling the patentee mentions a pin projecting from thewing, which in turn is connected to a passage within the knot (FIG. 1,numbers 1 and 4). The pin is slit at its farthest end in such a way thatthe end forms fingers. These fingers are sprung slightly together whenthe pin enters the passage of the coupling, creating outward frictionagainst the passage in such a way as to hold the wings together with theknot.

The strength and reliability of this friction fit is dependent upon thesize and fit of the pin and the outward tension applied by the pin'sfingers against the knot's passage. Both the pin and the passage canwear over time, loosening the strength of the bond between the wings tothe knot. This weakness will be further exacerbated if the pin is bentor crushed. The probability of this type of damage occurring willincrease if the manufacturer chooses low quality pin and socketcouplings under the assumption the wearer will be disposing of the bowtie once its purpose has been served.

Regarding its manufacture, the method used to adhere the pin of the pinand socket coupling to the bow tie's flat wing element could proveproblematic. Insertion of a pin in the end of the wing where thegreatest stress is applied through repeated coupling and uncouplingcould eventually result in a failure. Further, the use of a long pinwith a small diameter, as would likely be needed, increases theprobability the pin could be damaged through repeated use.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,421,972 is also for a bow tie having interchangeablecomponents. In this case, the manner whereby the bow tie's wings,referred to as wing members, are held to the knot is through the use ofplate members that are stitched to the wings (FIG. 3, numbers 14 and16). At the end of each plate member, attached in a perpendicularmanner, are round discs (FIG. 5, number 16). These discs are insertedunder a flange found on the knot and held in place by spring-loadedfollower discs (FIG. 2, numbers 11,12 and 13, and FIG. 4, number 9).

This method of attaching the wings to the knot is mechanically complexand subject to failure of the mechanism's individual components. Somerepresentative points of failure for this bow tie include but are notlimited to: the spring losing its tension, the flange being bent, or thestitching holding the plate members to the wings fraying or separating.

Manufacture of this bow tie, and in particular its subsequent assembly,also points to potential problems. The attaching mechanism within theknot is composed of at least five distinct components: two followerdiscs, a spring, a flanged barrel and a clip. All of these must bemanufactured to tolerance in order to function properly and then beproperly assembled. Given these complexities, the overall cost ofassembly of this bow tie would likely make it difficult to produce at areasonable price, especially in small quantities.

Another interchangeable bow tie along the lines of those previouslymentioned is U.S. Pat. No. 2,420,387 (1947). One particular embodimentof this bow tie centers on a knot having a sleeve within which isaffixed a permanent magnet in the nature of a bar (FIG. 17, number 66).This magnet has recesses in its ends, which receive pins found on theends of the wings. These pins are made of soft iron, which is attractedby a magnetic field that holds the pins within the recesses (FIG. 17,number 68). The bore and the pins are cylindrical in shape so that eachwing may be rotated individually about the axis of the bore sleeve, soas to present either face of the wing forwardly.

This bow tie relies on iron bars and soft iron pins to produce a bondthat is strong enough to hold the wings to the knot but not so strong asto prevent the wings from being easily rotated about the horizontalaxis. Creating a bond that meets these tolerances using raw ironmaterials could prove difficult for a manufacturer. Further, theiron-on-iron contact that this design envisions inside the knot, willlikely create problems for the wearer in terms of the ease with which heor she can detach the wing from the knot by separating the two magnets.If the strength of that contact is too strong, it will likely increasethe rate at which the wings are broken and the pins are separated fromthe wings. This design also calls into question whether the extension ofthe wing having the pin attached fits snugly within the recess of thebar magnet or whether it is only the pin which is afforded such a fit.If it is only the pin, it may be possible for the wing to be attached tothe knot at an awkward angle rather than straight into the recess.

Bar magnets are bulky and their size would complicate the manufacture ofthis bow tie's knot. Further, the north and south poles of the barmagnet preclude the bow tie from having interchangeable wings. A winghaving the south pole of its magnet facing the knot must be attached tothe north pole side of the knot, and a wing having the north pole of itsmagnet facing the knot must be attached to the south pole side of theknot.

Manufacture of this bow tie could also prove difficult with regard tothe attachment of the soft iron pins to the wings. A reliable manner ofmaking an attachment that would hold over time could prove problematic.This is especially true if the bow tie's wearer is expected to rotatethose wings on a frequent basis. Similarly, creating bar magnets moldedspecifically for the bow tie, or having those magnets drilled to createrecesses, would add both increased expenses and complexity to themanufacturing process.

Another patent referenced in the table above is U.S. Pat. No. 2,411,908(1946). In this example, the interchangeability of the bow tie isachieved through the use of rigid strips that are attached to the bowtie's wings, (FIG. 6 number 15 and FIG. 7 number 16). In turn, theserigid strips are designed to attach the wings to the knot throughinsertion of those strips into sockets found on the knot (FIG. 5, number14). The wings are held in place through a friction fit.

As described by the patentee, this bow tie has as its primary objectiveto provide foldable wing portions hingedly connected at the knot portionof the tie and by means of which the tie may be folded into a compactform for convenient carrying. It also has as an objective to provide abow tie having a knot that can receive the ends of rigid strips carriedby the wings.

This particular design makes it difficult to maintain a sound fittingbetween the wings and the knot over time. Due to wear, as the wings areexchanged or removed for compact storage, the friction fitting mayloosen to the point that the knot can no longer hold the wings in place.There is no backup to the friction fit and repeated folding by thewearer could exacerbate the problem of the fit loosening over time.Further, those rigid strips are attached to the wings by stitching themtogether. This stitching adds a point of failure to the construction ofthe bow tie and is subject to fraying or separation over time.

The production of this interchangeable bow tie also has its problems.These problems are a function of the complexity of the assembly process,which increases with the number of components and the variety ofassembly methods used. In particular, the internal structure of the knotis formed of two independent and differently configured flat plateshaving interconnected hinge bearings. These plates are secured togetherby a threaded hinge pin that runs through the hinge bearings along thevertical axis where they overlap at the center of the knot. Onceconstructed, the knot is then enclosed within a thin suitable materialto give it the appearance of a bow tie knot.

Production of this knot includes the manufacture and subsequent assemblyof four distinct components: two different hinge plates, the hinge pin,and the knot enclosure. This is in addition to the manufacture of therigid strips and wings, and subsequent assembly of those two components.Automating an assembly process for such a complex mechanism would likelymake it difficult to manufacture this bow tie in small quantities forsale at reasonable prices.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment an interchangeable bow tie comprising:a) a plurality of wings, said wings each having a tongue, said tongueseach having a tongue magnet, said tongue magnets each having a tonguemagnet north pole and generating a first magnetic force, b) a knot, saidknot having one or more grooves, said knot having one or more knotmagnets, said knot magnets each having a knot magnet north pole andgenerating a second magnetic force, c) wherein the improvement comprisesa redesign of said knot and said wings, whereby said knot magnets andsaid tongue magnets are aligned one substantially above the other, saidknot magnet north poles and said tongue magnet north poles are facingthe same direction, said wings are joined interchangeably to said knotby said tongue coupling with said groove, said groove holding said wingsin a fixed position, and said wings being secured to said knot by saidfirst magnetic force urging a magnetic attraction with said secondmagnetic force.

Advantages

Accordingly several advantages of one or more aspects are as follows: toprovide interchangeable bow ties that have a minimum number ofcomponents; that have a design with no working mechanical parts; thathave components that are easily standardized; that minimize thecomplexity of integrating components; that simplify the assemblyprocess; that lend themselves to production using modern materials; thatcan be easily manufactured in small, economically affordable quantities;that have knots and wings that can be easily manufactured using acomputer numerical control machine; that have knots that can be easilymanufactured using the extrusion molding process; that have a connectionbetween the knot and wings that is not subject to mechanical failure;that have knots and wings of a substantially solid and durableconstruction; that have a knot that readily accepts different wings of avariety of materials that can be easily exchanged without damaging theknot or the wings; that have a knot that allows for multiple pairs ofwings; that have a knot and wings that allow for magnets to be easilyembedded in them; that take advantage of small, circular magnets of astandard design; that provide a snug, precision fit between the knot andthe wings that includes both a tongue and groove fit and a magnetic fit;that have a bond between the knot and wings that does not weaken withuse over time; that do not have direct magnet-to-magnet contact; thatcan be easily carried and stored in a compact form; and that aredesigned to be marketed as an attractive fashion accessory. Otheradvantages of one or more aspects will be apparent from a considerationof the drawings and ensuing description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS Drawing—Figures

In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number butdifferent alphabetic suffixes.

FIG. 1A shows an oblique front view of a fully assembled interchangeablebow tie as it would appear while being worm, with the knot coverconcealing the knot.

FIG. 1B shows a front view of the principal components of an assembledinterchangeable bow tie with the knot cover removed in accordance withone embodiment.

FIG. 1C shows an oblique back view of the principal components of anassembled interchangeable bow tie with the knot cover removed inaccordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 1D shows an oblique bottom view of the principal components of anassembled interchangeable bow tie with the knot cover removed and theknot back surface facing up, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 1E shows an oblique bottom view of the principal components of anassembled interchangeable bow tie with the knot cover removed and theknot front surface facing up, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of an interchangeable bow tie knot withthe knot front surface facing up in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 2B shows an oblique side plan view of an interchangeable bow tieknot in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 2C shows a perspective view of an interchangeable bow tie knot withthe knot back surface facing up in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 2D shows a transverse sectional view of an interchangeable bow tieknot taken substantially along line 3-3 in FIG. 2B.

FIG. 2E shows a transverse sectional view of an interchangeable bow tieknot in accordance with other embodiments.

FIG. 2F shows a perspective view of an interchangeable bow tie knot inaccordance with other embodiments.

FIG. 3A shows a plan view of the interchangeable bow tie knot inaccordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 3B shows a plan view of some assembled components of aninterchangeable bow tie with the knot cover removed in accordance withone embodiment.

FIG. 4A shows an oblique front view of the lowermost wings of aninterchangeable bow tie in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 4B shows an oblique back view of the lowermost wings of aninterchangeable bow tie in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 4C shows an oblique front view of the uppermost wings of aninterchangeable bow tie in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 4D shows an oblique back view of the lowermost wings of aninterchangeable bow tie knot, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 4E shows a perspective view of a pair of interchangeable bow tiewings in accordance with other embodiments.

Drawings - Reference Numbers 10 wing 10A uppermost wing 10B lowermostwing 15 wing front surface 15A uppermost wing front 15B lowermost wingfront surface surface 16 wing back surface 16A upperrmost wing backsurface 16B lowermost wing back 20 knot surface 25 knot surface 25A knotfront surface 25B knot back surface 30 knot magnet 40 knot magnet northpole 50 knot magnet cavity 60 groove 60A uppermost groove 60B lowermostgroove 70 tongue 75 tongue surface 75A Tongue back surface 80 tonguemagnet 90 tongue magnet north pole 100 tongue magnet cavity 110 knotcover

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIGS. 1A to 2D and 3A to 4D—First Embodiment

One embodiment of the interchangeable bow tie as it would appear whilebeing worn is shown at FIG. 1A. Visible are the two uppermost wings 10A,the two lowermost wings, the wings' front surfaces 15, and the knotcover 110.

The assembled components of one embodiment of an interchangeable bow tieare illustrated at FIGS. 1B, 1C, 1D and 1E. In these illustrations theknot cover 110 shown at FIG. 1A has been removed.

FIG. 1B is a front view of the uppermost wings 10A and the lowermostwings 10B joined to the knot 20. The illustration also shows the wings'front surfaces 15.

In FIG. 1C the knot back surface 25B contains two knot magnets 30. Theknot magnets 30 are mounted flush with the knot back surface 25B, andthe knot magnets' north poles 40 face up from the knot back surface 25B.The wing back surfaces 16 of the lowermost wings 10B and the uppermostwings 10A are also shown.

FIG. 1D shows FIG. 1C from a bottom perspective. The knot back surface25B and the wings' back surfaces 16 are visible. As FIG. 1D illustrates,I presently prefer an embodiment having uppermost wings 10A andlowermost wings 10B that are flat with a thickness of 0.122 inches andcut from wood using a computer numerical control machine. However,different materials or combination of materials of varying thicknessescould be used to produce other embodiments of the wings 10, anddifferent processes and machines could be used to mold and cut them.

FIG. 1E shows FIG. 1C from another bottom perspective. In this case theknot front surface 25A and the wings' front surfaces 15 are visible. Theillustration shows an embodiment in which the knot front surface 25A isfacing up from the knot 20. Also shown are the uppermost wings 10A andthe lowermost wings 10B.

One embodiment of the interchangeable bow tie's knot 20 is illustratedat FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D.

FIG. 2A shows the uppermost groove 60A and lowermost groove 60B of theknot 20, relative to the knot front surface 25A.

In FIG. 2B, the illustration shows the knot 20 having two knot magnetcavities 50 and an uppermost groove 60A and a lowermost groove 60B. Theknot magnet cavities 50 are available to accept the knot magnets 30, andthe knot magnet north poles 40 are facing up.

Shown at FIG. 2C are the knot magnets 30 affixed within the knot 20. Theillustration shows the knot magnets 30 flush with the knot back surface25B and the knot magnets' north poles 40 facing up from the knot backsurface 25B. In one embodiment the knot magnets 30 have a small circularshape and are made of neodymium. However, the knot magnets 30 could beof varying sizes, shapes and elements selected from the group consistingof permanent magnets.

FIG. 2D shows a sectional view of the knot 20 illustrating the inside ofa knot magnet cavity 50 and the inside of the uppermost groove 60A andthe lowermost groove 60B. The section is taken substantially along line3-3 in FIG. 2B.

I presently prefer an embodiment in which the knot 20 is square shapedand made from acrylic. The knot 20 is cut to a shape of 1.0 inch long by1.0 inch wide by 0.750 inches high from a block of acrylic using acomputer numerical control machine. The same machine cuts the grooves 60to a width of 0.830 inches and a height of 0.132 inches. However, inother embodiments the knot 20 could be made from a variety of differentmaterials including wood, carbon fiber, metal or plastic, could bemanufactured using any number of processes such as the extrusion moldingprocess, and could have any number of different shapes such as oval,trapezoidal, or oblong.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate the connection between the knot 20 and thewings 10 in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 3A illustrates the knot 20 having a groove 60 that passes beneathtwo knot magnets 30 which have their knot magnet north poles 40 facingup.

FIG. 3B shows two tongues 70 inserted into the groove 60 shown at FIG.3A. Also illustrated is an offset between the knot magnets 30 and thetongue magnets 80. In accordance with one embodiment the tongues 70 arepositioned so that when the wings 10 are inserted into the knot 20 theknot magnets 30 and the tongue magnets 80 are aligned with each other ina substantially perpendicular manner, however, the knot magnets 30 areslightly offset along that perpendicular axis relative to the tonguemagnets 80.

In accordance with one embodiment, two different designs of theinterchangeable bow tie's wings 10 are illustrated at FIGS. 4A and 4B,and FIGS. 4C and 4D.

The illustrations at FIGS. 4A and 4C show the lowermost wings' frontsurfaces 15B, and the uppermost wings' front surfaces 15A, respectively,as well as the tongues 70.

At FIGS. 4B and 4D are show the lowermost wings' back surfaces 16B, andthe uppermost wings' back surfaces 16A, respectively. Also shown is eachof the interchangeable bow tie's lowermost wings 10B and uppermost wings10A having a centrally located tongue magnet cavity 100. The tonguemagnets 80 are affixed within the tongue magnet cavities 100 so as to beflush with the tongue back surface 75A. In one embodiment the tonguemagnets 80 have a small circular shape and are made of neodymium.However, the tongue magnets 80 could be of varying shapes, sizes andelements selected from the group consisting of permanent magnets.

I presently prefer the tongues 70 have a standard size of 0.75 incheswide by 0.4 inches long by 0.122 inches high, so that any tongue 70 canbe inserted into any groove 60. However, other embodiments are possiblein which tongues 70 having different measurements could be paired withgrooves 60 having measurements that would accept those tongues 70. Otherembodiments of the wings 10 include a variety of different widths,shapes, sizes and symmetries.

The manner of putting the interchangeable bow tie shown at FIG. 1A intooperation is to first insert the lowermost wings 10B illustrated atFIGS. 4A and 4B into the lowermost groove 60B, beneath the knot cover110, on opposing sides of the knot 20 shown at FIG. 2C. When insertingthose wings 10, the knot 20 is positioned with the knot magnets' northpoles 40 facing up from the knot back surface 25B. When the lowermostwings 10B are inserted into the lowermost groove 60B of the knot 20, thelowermost wings 10B are also positioned such that the tongue magnetnorth poles 90 are facing up from the tongue back surface 75A.Subsequently, the uppermost wings 10A illustrated at FIGS. 4C and 4D areinserted into the uppermost groove 60A on opposing sides of the knot 20at FIG. 2C. Again the knot is held in the same position and theuppermost wings 10A are positioned such that the tongue magnet northpoles 90 are facing up from the tongue back surface 75A. Once the wings10 are joined to the knot 20 and the tongue magnets 80 are alignedbeneath and slightly offset from the knot magnets 30, and the knotmagnet north poles 40 and the tongue magnet north poles 90 are allfacing the same direction, the principal components of theinterchangeable bow tie are fully assembled.

The manner of exchanging the wings 10 of the interchangeable bow tieshown at FIG. 1A is to first remove the wings 10 attached to the knot 20by firmly securing the knot 20 and pulling the wings 10 away from theknot 20. Once the wings 10 have been removed, the interchangeable bowtie is in its most compact form for storing and carrying. Replacing thebow ties' wings 10 that were removed with a different set of wings 10 isaccomplished by following the directions for putting the interchangeablebow tie into operation as previously described.

FIGS. 2E, 2F and 4E Additional Embodiments

FIG. 2E shows a sectional view of one additional embodiments of the knot20 having two knot magnet cavities 50, one on each of two opposingsurfaces.

One additional embodiment of the interchangeable bow tie is also madepossible by changing the number of grooves 60 that are cut into theknot, which in turn changes the number of wings 10 the knot 20 can carryand the number of knot magnets 30 and tongue magnets 80 required. FIG.2E illustrates a knot having only one groove 60 and the knot magnets 30flush with the knot surface 25.

Another additional embodiment of the interchangeable bow tie is madepossible by changing the structure of the wings 10, enabling them to becovered with fabric or another material. Such a change is illustrated atFIG. 4E.

Alternative Embodiments

There are various possibilities with regard to alternative embodimentsthat could be produced as a function of variations in theinterchangeable bow tie's principal components.

Alternative embodiments could be achieved by changing the composition ofthe materials used to produce the knot, in those instances where a knotcover is not used. Such variations could include manufacturing the knotfrom fiberglass, carbon fiber, wood or metal. In those cases, theappearance of the knot, its color, shape, etc., would be a direct resultof the material from which it is made. Similarly, the knot cover couldbe made from an infinite variety of fabrics and materials havingdifferent colors and patterns, which would also change theinterchangeable bow tie's appearance.

Other alternative embodiments could result from changes in the size,shape and attractive force of the magnets used in the interchangeablebow tie's knot and wings. Through further miniaturization of themagnets, such changes could decrease the number of magnets required andimprove the strength of the bond between the interchangeable bow tie'sknot and wings.

In other embodiments, the size, location and number of grooves could bealtered to change the appearance of the interchangeable bow tie. Suchchanges could include adding grooves to the top and bottom of theinterchangeable bow tie's knot, facilitating the attachment of otherornamental pieces in addition to the wings. Other embodiments of theknot could have a varying number of knot magnet cavities.

Other embodiments could include an interchangeable bow tie having two ormore fabric-covered wings, or a mix of fabric-covered wings and wingsmade of a solid material such as wood.

Advantages

From the description above, a number of advantages of some embodimentsof my interchangeable bow tie become evident:

(a) An interchangeable bow tie having a minimum number of componentsthat can be easily standardized and integrated.

(b) An interchangeable bow tie that can be easily disassembled, stored,and carried in a compact form.

(c) An interchangeable bow tie that has small magnets of a standard sizethat are easily embedded in the knot and wings.

(d) An interchangeable bow tie that is designed so that the north polesof its magnets all face the same direction.

(e) An interchangeable bow tie whose wings are easily and firmly securedto the knot by a first and second means, the first being a tongue ingroove fit and the second being a magnetic bond.

(f) An interchangeable bow tie whose magnetic bond between the knot andwings is not subject to loosening through wear over time.

(g) An interchangeable bow tie that is not subject to the problemsassociated with direct magnet-to-magnet contact.

(h) An interchangeable bow tie that has wings that can be easilyexchanged, or readily moved from the grooves on one side of the knot tothe grooves on the other side of the knot.

(i) An interchangeable bow tie that readily accepts multiple wings of avariety of materials, shapes and styles.

(j) An interchangeable bow tie for which the probability of the wingsbreaking or the magnets separating from the wings is significantlyreduced.

(k) An interchangeable bow tie that facilitates the use of a variety ofmaterials such as wood, carbon fiber, acrylic, etc.

(l) An interchangeable bow tie that facilitates the use of modernmanufacturing equipment and techniques such as computer numericalcontrol machines and the extrusion molding process.

(m) An interchangeable bow tie whose knot and the wings can be producedas substantially solid entities.

(n) An interchangeable bow tie having a streamlined assembly processthat allows it to be easily manufactured in small, economicallyaffordable quantities.

(o) An interchangeable bow tie that serves as an easily marketablefashion accessory.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

The redesign of the principal components of the interchangeable bow tie,which is rooted in the reorientation of the north poles of the bow tie'smagnets, has significant implications for its production andmarketability.

The standardized orientation of the magnets' north poles enableddevelopment of interchangeable bow tie knots and wings comprising aminimum number of components that are easily integrated. Given thatminimum number of components, the interchangeable bow tie can be easilydisassembled, stored and carried in a compact form.

The redesign takes advantage of small magnets that are easily embeddedin the knot and wings. Those magnets allow the wings to be firmlysecured to the knot by a first and second means, the first being atongue-in-groove fit and the second being a magnetic bond. Unlike afriction fit alone, that magnetic bond is not subject to looseningthrough wear over time.

The redesign also prevents the problems associated with directmagnet-to-magnet contact and permits the wings to be readily exchangedbetween the grooves on one side of the knot and the grooves on theopposing side of the knot. The knot readily accepts multiple wings of avariety of materials, shapes and styles. Given the simplicity of theredesign, the probability of the wings breaking or the magnetsseparating from the wings is significantly reduced. All of this makesthe interchangeable bow tie a viable fashion accessory.

These changes also have implications for the interchangeable bow tie'smanufacture. They facilitate the use of modern manufacturing materialssuch acrylic and enable the use of modern manufacturing equipment andtechniques such as computer numerical control machines and the extrusionmolding process. And because the knot and the wings can be produced assubstantially solid entities, the assembly process is streamlined,allowing interchangeable bow tie components to be easily standardizedand manufactured in small, economically affordable quantities.

Accordingly, the reader will see that the interchangeable bow tie ofvarious embodiments can be easily manufactured and assembled due to theimprovements resulting from its redesign. Given the current demand forbow ties, the interchangeable bow tie can take its place as a viablealternative to those bow ties that are already available in the market.

Although the description above contains many specifics, these should notbe construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments but as merelyproviding illustrations of some of several embodiments.

Consequently the scope of the embodiments should be determined by theappended claims and their legal equivalents, rather then by the examplesgiven.

I claim:
 1. A bow tie of the interchangeable type comprising: a. aplurality of wings, said wings each having a tongue, said tongues eachhaving a tongue magnet, said tongue magnets each having a tongue magnetnorth pole and generating a first magnetic force, and b. a knot, saidknot having one or more grooves, said knot having one or more knotmagnets, said knot magnets each having a knot magnet north pole andgenerating a second magnetic force, c. wherein the improvement comprisesa redesign of said knot and said wings, whereby said knot magnets andsaid tongue magnets are aligned one substantially above the other, saidknot magnet north poles and said tongue magnet north poles are facingthe same direction, said wings are joined interchangeably to said knotby said tongue coupling with said groove, said groove holding said wingsin a fixed position, said wings being secured to said knot by said firstmagnetic force urging a magnetic attraction with said second magneticforce.
 2. The interchangeable bow tie of claim 1 wherein said wings aresubstantially covered with a predetermined material.
 3. Theinterchangeable bow tie of claim 1 wherein said knot is substantiallycovered with a predetermined material.
 4. The interchangeable bow tie ofclaim 5 wherein said wings are made of wood.
 5. A bow tie of theinterchangeable type comprising: a. a plurality of wings each being madeof a substantially opaque material and having a predetermined shape,said wings each having a tongue, said tongues each having a tonguemagnet, said tongue magnets each having a tongue magnet north pole andgenerating a first magnetic force, and b. a knot being made of apredetermined material and having a predetermined shape, said knothaving one or more grooves, said knot having one or more knot magnets,said knot magnets each having a knot magnet north pole and generating asecond magnetic force, c. wherein the improvement comprises a redesignof said knot and said wings, whereby said knot magnets and said tonguemagnets are aligned one substantially above the other, said knot magnetnorth poles and said tongue magnet north poles are facing the samedirection, said wings are joined interchangeably to said knot by saidtongue coupling with said groove, said groove holding said wings in afixed position, said wings being secured to said knot by said firstmagnetic force urging a magnetic attraction with said second magneticforce.
 6. The interchangeable bow tie of claim 5 wherein said wings aresubstantially covered with a fabric or other material.
 7. Theinterchangeable bow tie of claim 5 wherein said knot is substantiallycovered with a fabric or other material.
 8. The interchangeable bow tieof claim 5 wherein said knot is made of acrylic.
 9. The interchangeablebow tie of claim 5 wherein said wings are made of wood.
 10. Theinterchangeable bow tie of claim 5 wherein said wings are substantiallyflat.
 11. The interchangeable bow tie of claim 5 wherein said tonguemagnet cavities are located on the surface of said tongue.
 12. Theinterchangeable bow tie of claim 5 wherein said knot magnet cavities arelocated on the surface of said knot.
 13. A bow tie of theinterchangeable type comprising: a. a plurality of wings each beingsubstantially solid and being made of a substantially opaque materialand having a predetermined shape, said wings each having a tongue, saidtongues each having a tongue magnet cavity located on said tongues, saidtongue magnet cavities each being filled with a tongue magnet, saidtongue magnets each being selected from the group consisting ofpermanent magnets, said tongue magnets each having a tongue magnet northpole and generating a first magnetic force, and b. a knot beingsubstantially solid and being made of a predetermined material andhaving a predetermined shape, said knot having one or more grooves andone or more knot magnet cavities, said grooves passing beneath said knotmagnet cavities, said knot magnet cavities being located on said knot,said knot magnets cavities being filled with a knot magnet, said knotmagnets being selected from the group consisting of permanent magnets,said knot magnets each having a knot magnet north pole and generating asecond magnetic force, c. wherein the improvement comprises a redesignof said knot and said wings, whereby said knot magnets and said tonguemagnets are aligned one substantially above the other, said knot magnetnorth poles and said tongue magnet north poles are facing the samedirection, said wings are joined interchangeably to said knot by saidtongue coupling with said groove, said groove holding said wings in afixed position, said wings being secured to said knot by said firstmagnetic force urging a magnetic attraction with said second magneticforce.
 14. The interchangeable bow tie of claim 13 wherein said wingsare substantially covered with a fabric material.
 15. Theinterchangeable bow tie of claim 13 wherein said knot is substantiallycovered with a fabric material.
 16. The interchangeable bow tie of claim13 wherein said wings are made of wood.
 17. The interchangeable bow tieof claim 13 wherein said wings are substantially flat.
 18. Theinterchangeable bow tie of claim 13 wherein said knot is made ofacrylic.
 19. The interchangeable bow tie of claim 13 wherein said knothas a substantially square shape.
 20. The interchangeable bow tie ofclaim 13 wherein said knot is made of material having the properties ofthe group consisting of metals.